Jerusalem Medical Exchange Program
From the airport to Jerusalem
We recommend taking a bus (Number 485, costs 16 shekels, to Jerusalem Central Bus Station) or a service taxi (“Nesher Sherut”, costs about 70 shekels, the destination inside Jerusalem is to your request) . They are located just outside the airport. It is not recommended to take a “special taxi” which is rather expensive. The service taxi might take you directly to Hadassah Medical Center in “Ein Kerem” (or any other address in Jerusalem) for about the same rate as to the central bus station, so ask the driver when you get into the taxi. It departs from the entrance\exit of the terminal when it is full (takes around 15-30 minutes). The taxi operates around the clock. One person ride cost around 70 NIS\ 20 US dollars and it takes about 45 minutes drive to the central of Jerusalem.
Bus Lines
It takes around 50 minutes or less to travel to the hospital from the center of city, mainly because of slow traffic inside the city. There are number of lines for bus transportation to the hospital: 27, 27 A, 19, 42, 12, 153. However, bus line 27 & 19 are the main line that go to the hospital.
Since a new light rail line has been added, which goes all the way to Hadassah Ein Kerem, it's recommended to use it as it will save you a lot of time! The light rail starts from the northern part of the city and has many stations along the way, one of them being at the central bus station.
Light Rail maps:
Bus Routes:
How can you pay for public transportation?
Today, you can scan a QR code using the MOOVIT app. So, what is the app? The Moovit app allows you to plan your route (it provides you with all the options, including travel time and fare). You can also link a credit card to the app and pay for your rides by scanning the code that appears when you enter the bus/train.
Additionally, you can use a card called Rav-Kav to pay for your rides.
How to Get an Egged Bus Card:
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Go to the Central Bus Station which is on Yafo Street. You can get there by taking the train (from Mount Scopus), or by taking bus number 27 and then the train (from Hadassah EinKarem). Make sure to bring with you an identification card with your photo (for example, passport).
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Once in the Central Bus Station, go up to the 3rd floor to the "Emdat Hanpaka Rav-Kav." This is Hebrew for "Rav-Kav Issuing Stand," where they will issue you a personalized Rav-Kav Card. The stand is in front of Platform 22, and open from 7 in the morning until 8 in the evening (7:00-20:00).
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Fill out the Rav-Kav Issuing form. You can do this ahead of time (at home) or on the spot (there will be forms there too). I have attached a translation of the form fields here.
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Stand in line, pray that the person who works at the stand will speak English, and they will take your picture and issue you a Rav-Kav Card!
Charging your Rav-Kav Card:
There are a number of 'programs' available for your rav-kav card. Your best choice is which allows you to ride by bus and train unlimitedly for 1 month for the one-time price you pay.
This is from the first of each month to the last day, and NOT 1 month from the day you issue this. For example, if you charge your rav-kav with a hofshi –hodshi program on July 1st, 10th, or 20th, you will still pay the same amount, and it will expire on July 31st.
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Ask for "Hofshi-Hodshi" in Jerusalem – code 91.
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Pay 236 shekels.
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Ride the bus AND train inside Jerusalem as many times as you like!
Payment - Egged "Rav-Kav" Card.
